coasterdime

Not to knit-pick...but the roulette wheel (Wheel of Fortune) was actually about where Reptar's station sits today, right next to the flume.

15...maybe 20 minutes with traffic. Heading to the park right now!

They were used, and will be again used for X-tended play. Friday night, (8-12) $5 got you access to AZ....to hear the DJ, and enjoy walk-on conditions in AZ. Hope this helped

The 'Tower Johnny' story is true. (not sure about his ghost, though) I remember all of the news coverage sometime in the early 80's....1982 I think. When I find a news archive that dates back 20+ years, I'll post my findings.

Without the Eagles, I'd just find another park!

I LOVED the park when under Taft's control, and was saddened by the way the Lindner family treated KI. Paramount was/is willing to pour money back into the place, and build some pretty good stuff. I was asked this question by a group of employees this past weekend, and I can honestly say I appreciate what Paramount is trying to do with the park. I also remember when Jeff Siebert was asked why Paramount removed so many original KI rides. His response to this question was pretty good: "Look around, we've also added a thing or two!"

I think that's true of any coaster, though. They have a life span. Smaller woodies (Kennywood) can have entire sections replaced pretty often, keeping them "new." With the size and scope of SOB, that may not be practical, but I'm sure they're not even close to throwing in the towel. After all, the ride is only 5...

I also agree that the trains are the culprit here. The manufacturer (of the trains) claims that a long wheelbase was necessary because of the loop. Those trains don't steer (track) well at all. It's sometimes funny to watch he trains buck and bounce along the course. I honestly think that the park will eventually shop around for better trains, but only after they've exhausted every other fix. The lines still seem rather long to me, so the public still seems to like it. I really don't see the park taking this thing down any time soon. Despite its flaws, I still find the ride to be pretty good....although I'll only ride it a few times each season.

Yep, and for some reason, this BAFFD seemed especially crowded. Better luck next time.

For the last BAFFD, we were sent directly to the turnstiles, with our "friend" behind us. I didn't pay attention to how the pass was scanned, but the turnstile allowed two people in. There were signs all over the entrance plaza, directing everyone to the gate...not to a window.

I've noticed that each has a fridge. Does the renter pay for the Coke and bottled water...or is it included? Just curious..

I think he's talking about the upcharge by Soak City, that fell over a couple of years ago.

I was on those last rides, too. I was the guy with the dark red shirt and spiked hair. Tonight's snapfest was incredible...one of the best yet this year! Good seeing you guys...

In an e-mail to a friend of mine, CP swears that if your waist is less than 40", you should be fine. Another friend of mine has a muscular build, and though smaller than the 40", could not fit. When you go back, you are allowed to go up the exit to try your luck in an actual train....do not rely on the test seat.

Funny topic! I'm not sure about the moon, but it'd be a hell of a stack!

Looking forward to Sat....

Ummmm, no, All I said was that each time I saw it lit was in the morning. I will add this, usually the lines are non existent for that ride first thing in the AM....there's a reason to get there early.

are you some kind of gosh darn expert? Wow, try toning down the hostility a little! Yeah, I'd say I have a pretty good guest's perspective! That is unavoidable when you visit often. EVERY ride I've had with the drum lights on has been between 10-11:00 am, so I'll stick with my first piece of advice: If you want to get a chance to try FoF with the lights on, try early in the monring. -Gosh darn expert

Sorry. It's not a coaster I've ridden a ton of times, usually due to the wait times. I do try to catch it a few times in the mornings....when I'm there early. If I had to guess, I'd say just a few hundred times. (2-300 over 8 years) Most of those rides would be after the 2001 restraint change, though)

On Flight Commander, I believe the intoxicated was helped from her capsule by the lack of a simple seat divider. An over the shoulder restraint is really pretty useless if the lower body is free to move pretty much anywhere. CoasterRZ was correct, the Intamin restraint was very much to blame for her demise. No matter how limp she was, the restraint system should have been designed better.

Although Mass had the most recent Intamin fatality, there have been more. Two people were thrown from Intamin water rides. One was in California, and one last month in Great Britain. Also, Superman at Darien Lake (NY) tossed a rider in its first season. A rider at PGA submarined from a restraint on their Drop Zone stunt tower, in 1999. As far as Intamin accomodating people with restraints....I personally don't think there is a more problematic company for restraint problems. At Cedar Point, they just instituted a new rule with their seatbelts. (MF especially) 20-60% of patrons now cannot ride. I have a 36" waist, and most likely I will be prohibited from riding. B&M has addressed this issue. Americans tend to be larger than their European counterparts. (not just fatter) B&M has introduced "beefier" seats, and even includes special seats for those with unusual body proportions. Intamin really doesn't....yet. I love the coasters that Intamin has introduced in the past few years, but they REALLY have to work on more accommodating, and safer, restraints.

I was talking to an enthusiast who swears he knows what PKI is up to for next year. I have several family members that work year-round at PKI, one who actually works with the construction of new attractions...Anyway, the family members AREN'T TALKING. They've always given me the heads up well in advance, but not this year. To get to my point, what do you guys think of getting another Vekoma coaster at the park? Face/Off is obviously excellent, I've given up on seeing a B&M for a while, and Intamin has gotten silly lately with restraint issues. I'm not trying to float a rumor here, I honestly have no clue what they're doing next year....and don't claim to. I just want to know how you feel about PKI considering Vekoma...if they are.

Plus, there are people with a severe allergy to smoke. I've seen people forced from line by smokers.

For the past couple of seasons, the crews have been incredible!

I think I've seen this guy! When I was next to him in line, he just kept "growling" coaster names. What did he look like?